Piet Strauss - Captain of Oakdale

Oakdale captain Piet Strauss is keen for his team to repeat their famous victory over Marlow last year when the two teams meet on Saturday.

The versatile prop, who is comfortable on both sides of the scrum, will be playing in only his second game of the season having just come back from a knee injury, but that certainly will not dull his intensity this weekend.

Strauss tore ligaments in his knee early in the year, but luckily recovered in time to represent SWD at Craven Week and is raring to go for his school in this FNB Classic Clash.

That was not the only injury the team suffered early in the season, but despite these setbacks they have still managed to find some consistency which is encouraging.

The front row forward prefers to wear the No.1 jersey as he feels he makes a bigger impact in the loose exchanges as a loosehead or as he puts it "an extra flank".

He knows that he will have to be on top of his game this weekend against a Marlow side that will be desperate to avenge their loss to Oakdale at home last year.

"Every year they are a good side, so it will be a hard match and we will have to be focused and dedicated if we want to win but we are expecting good support at home so hopefully we can do well," he said.

Strauss intends to make a career of the game and has already signed with the Blue Bulls and will be studying Commerce at the University of Pretoria next year.